Julia slowed her steps slightly, glancing over her shoulder at the pair just behind. "What even is luck, anyway?"
Irina blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"Come on," Julia said, waving a hand vaguely toward Astron. "He pulls answers out of thin air, survives sparring matches that should've knocked him flat, and nails the hardest exam questions like it's a casual walk through the woods—and then calls it 'luck.' So what is it?"
Irina just shrugged, her smirk returning. "Nothing."
Julia narrowed her eyes. "Come on. Say it."
Irina turned forward, casual and composed. "No."
"Say it."
"I said no."
"Tch," Julia scoffed, folding her arms again. "Coward."
"I call it wisdom," Irina replied smoothly.
Lucas glanced between them. "You two gonna duel again right here on the stairs or…?"
"Don't tempt her," Ethan said, eyeing Julia warily.
She shot him a quick grin. "Relax. I don't have the energy. Yet."
